matchlock

English

Etymology

match +‎ lock

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈmatʃlɒk/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmæt͡ʃlɑk/

Noun

matchlock (plural matchlocks)

1. (historical) Early type of firearm, using a smoldering piece of cord to fire the powder in the firing pan.
   • 1888, Rudyard Kipling, ‘Dray Wara Yow Dee’, Black and White, volume 1, Folio Society, published 2004, page 372:

     I crept silently up the hill-road, but the fuse of my matchlock was wetted with the rain, and I could not slay Daoud Shah from afar.

2. The gunlock used in such a weapon, having a slow smouldering match.

Translations

firearm

• Finnish: lunttupyssy
• Ido: musketo (io), mechofusilo

gunlock

• Finnish: lunttulukko (fi)